Almost an upset

Eastern View had an opportunity to end its three-game losing streak and knock off one of the top teams in the state Monday night, but the Cyclones couldn’t get a shot off in their final possession and narrowly missed upsetting James Monroe, 52-51.

The Yellow Jackets (10-1, 4-0 Battlefield District) had only lost to Mountain View, one of the area’s best Group AAA teams, and hadn’t had a close game against Group AA competition before visiting Eastern View (7-6, 1-3).

That changed Monday as the Cyclones chipped away at an 11-point, third quarter lead. Yellow Jackets guard Bilnita Armstead lead all scorers with 24 points, but was limited after EVHS coach Mike McCombs switched to a box-and-one with freshman guard Taylor Odend’hal trailing the JM senior wherever she went.

“That disrupted them and took them out of their flow a little bit,” McCombs said. “Bilnita is just good. She’s very good and we didn’t do a good job of giving help and stopping her. Taylor is a very nervous type player. She’s always bouncing around, but I’ve got more confidence in her than she has in herself.”

Eastern View junior Courtney White, who led the Cyclones with 20 points and 14 rebounds, hit her second 3-pointer of the game with 5:30 remaining to cut the James Monroe lead to 46-43. The Cyclones hung tough, but couldn’t get any closer than three points until Miesha Brock hit a jumper with 1:13 left to cut it to one.

“I wasn’t scared or intimidated by them at all,” White said. “I didn’t know what their record was. I’ve played against them every year and we played with them tonight.”

Eastern View took possession down by one with less than a minute remaining and White and Brock each got good looks at the basket before James Monroe won possession on a held ball. JM’s Brittini McFadden, who finished with eight points, missed the front end of a one-and-one and the Cyclones got the ball back with eight seconds remaining.

Eastern View got it down the court quickly, but heard the buzzer sound before it could attempt a game-winner.

“I’m pleased that we kept up with a 9-1 team that won the district last year,” McCombs said. “We stepped up to the challenge, but I would just like to be able to get a tough win like that. That’s something we’re missing.”

Brock finished with 15 points, including two clutch baskets in the final two minutes.

Courtney Shanks added 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Cyclones, who return to action tonight at home against Chancellor.